Foldable Embeddable Lap Tray

ABSTRACT

A foldable, collapsible lap tray or desk, with or without a cup holder, that can be embedded in a stuffed toy, backpack, or other portable flexible material. The tray is deployable by unlatching the stuffed toy, backpack, or flexible material which allows the tray or desk to unfold. The tray or desk is made of sturdy enough material to support playing, reading, writing, eating, or other activities related to sitting. The tray or desk can then be folded and secured for ease of transport. The tray is usually rectangular but can be styled in any shape desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, provisional patent 62/317,866 filed on 4 Apr. 2016 entitled “Foldable lap tray” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,583 August 1988 Tenner . . . 248/444

U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,339 July 1992 Hood Jr. . . . 108/43

U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,166 September 2000 Rotstein . . . 108/43

U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,769 B1 August 2002 Koenig . . . 5/636

US 2005/0110309 A1 April 2005 Cziraky et al . . . 297/181

US D550,477 S September 2007 Probst . . . D6/406.5

US 2010/0116860 A1 April 2010 Tello . . . 224/576

U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,284 B2 November 2013 Matthews et al . . . 5/639

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a portable tray or desk, and more particularly to a portable tray or desk that is foldable, and embedded in a stuffed toy, backpack, or other portable, flexible material.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Traditionally traveling with children has been challenging. In particular, it has been challenging to carry their toys and food and keep them occupied for long periods of time while sitting in a car, plane, train, bus or other confined area. There are several products that help with those problems; backpacks that carry toys, lap trays that allow for play and eating, pillows for sleeping. But currently there are none that allow the child to carry their own toys, books, pillow, blanket, food, and foldable lap tray together in a soft toy, backpack, or other portable, flexible material.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention provides a foldable lap tray or desk that can easily be embedded in a soft toy, backpack, or other flexible material for transport and use. The tray folds in as the soft toy, backpack or other flexible material is closed and secured with a fastener and provides an additional storage area for toys. When opened, it provides a solid work, play, and eating area that is indented to prevent toys, books, food and other items from falling off.

The foldable lap tray or desk can be removed for easy cleaning, and replaced with other similarly designed tray or desk of the same size and shape; for example, but not limited to, game boards, magnetic trays, or dry erase boards,. The soft toy, backpack, or other flexible material can then be washed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an aerial view of the foldable tray embedded in a stuffed toy in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the stuffed toy and backpack with the foldable tray closed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the foldable tray embedded in a stuffed toy in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is an aerial view of the foldable tray removed from the stuffed toy.

FIG. 5 is an aerial view of the foldable tray folded and removed from the stuffed toy.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the foldable tray folded and removed from the stuffed toy.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the foldable tray partially folded and removed from the stuffed toy.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the foldable tray partially folded and removed from the stuffed toy.

FIG. 9 is an aerial view of the semi-rigid version of the foldable tray.

FIG. 10 is an aerial view of the semi-rigid version of the foldable tray folded and removed from the stuffed toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Regarding the preferred embodiment of the foldable tray 12 in FIG. 4, it can be formed by shaping a semi rigid or rigid light material such as, but not limited to polypropylene into the desired shape, then scoring the rear/back side of the material to allow the material to fold and bend easily. If a semi-rigid material is used no scoring is necessary and the material is simply cut into the desired shape and can be folded into itself.

The foldable tray 12 in FIG. 9 illustrates a semi-rigid material that would not need scoring. The semi-rigid foldable tray can be made of softer EVA plastic which folds into itself when secured and embedded in a stuffed toy. It also creates, as illustrated in FIG. 10 a storage pouch area 30 for play and food items.

In FIG. 5 it is evident that scoring the rigid foldable tray in 4 areas creates a roomy bend and pouch area for additional storage when using the foldable tray in a stuffed toy. The scoring is not limited by the number 4 and only requires at least 2 scores for the tray to bend.

Once the desired shape and size have been stabilized it can then be embedded in, but not limited to, a stuffed toy as seen in FIG. 1. The stuffed toy 10, or other encasement should have an indentation and raised edges to allow for any objects placed on the tray to stay. The indented raised edges secure the tray, making it unnecessary to add attachments or fasteners to secure the tray.

The foldable tray 12 in FIG. 4 consists of a planar surface and an opposing second surface, but is not limited to 4 edges. It can be produced with 3 edges, or as a circle or oval. Whichever shape it is formed in, it can then be divided in such a way as to produce 3 sections; a left section, a right section and a center section, allowing the tray to be folded into itself.

In FIG. 1 It is evident that once the foldable tray 12 is embedded in the stuffed toy or other carrying mechanism it can then be closed and secured 11 with a closure system such as a zipper, snaps, hook and loop or the like. Having backpack straps 13 is useful for traveling with the foldable tray, and allows a person to easily carry their tray.

When embedding the foldable tray 12 in a stuffed toy backpack it is also possible to create a deep pouch 20 to carry food, toys, books or other small items to be used on the foldable travel tray, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The convenience of this particular embodiment is obvious to both the user and those skilled in the art of this particular trade.

FIG. 3 illustrates the practicality and convenience of the folded tray 12 in a closed position 11. The folded tray 12 creates a pocket when in the closed, secured position which allows a space to carry various items such as a blanket, books, and tablets. In addition with the backpack straps, a person can carry, with ease, their foldable tray, and play and food items for use later.

The foldable tray 12 in FIG. 4 is shown with an optional cup holder 40, and illustrates how the scored rigid tray would be able to fold into itself. Scoring the tray in 4 areas is optimal, but can also be scored in more or less areas depending on the desired bend. This allows an area within the closed stuffed toy folded tray for a tablet, book, blanket or something similar in shape and size.

While a detailed description of the invention is presented, it is not intended to be limiting in scope as anyone with ordinary skill in the relevant art of this invention will recognize. A variety of equivalent changes are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable lap tray or desk with or without a cup or accessory holder, that bends into itself.
 2. The foldable lap tray or desk mentioned in claim 1 can then be embedded in, but not limited to a stuffed toy, stuffed toy backpack, or non-stuffed backpack, and secured in a closed position for portability.
 3. The foldable embedded lap tray or desk can be removed and used independently or be replaced. 